Question

Difficulty: EasyNetworking Ports and Protocols

A network technician is configuring a local firewall rule to allow workstations to automatically synchronize their system clocks with an internal time server. Which of the following port and transport protocol combinations must be opened to enable this service?

  1. UDP port 123Answer
  2. B
    TCP port 123
  3. C
    UDP port 67
  4. D
    UDP port 53

Answer

UDP port 123 is required to allow Network Time Protocol (NTP) traffic for clock synchronization.
Network Time Protocol (NTP) relies on UDP port 123 to communicate time updates between time servers and client workstations across the network.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the protocol responsible for network clock synchronization
Network Time Protocol (NTP) is the standard service for system time alignment.
System clock accuracy across workstations relies on NTP synchronization.
2
Determine the default port number and transport layer protocol for NTP
NTP uses UDP port 123.
UDP provides connectionless, low-overhead communication suitable for periodic time packet broadcasts.

Key Concept

Network Time Protocol (NTP) Port and Protocol
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